grand canyon trails?

[skier06]

Can anyone recommend any decent trails around the Grand Canyon that also have areas to camp?

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Can anyone recommend any decent trails around the Grand Canyon that also have areas to camp?


I am sure the Chrles wells book has great mappng of trails there


Jason

[Curly]

North Rim Just went there a few weeks ago. Toroweap, Point Sublime, Fire point. Great views, easy roads. Sublime was the hardest of the 3, barely 2.5

Curly

[GRUNT]

I heard they are very scenic! I would like to do them. You may want to check, I don't know if you have to cross some RES land to get there... The Wells books has the trails will all corresponding info. The book is worth the money.

[skier06]

cool, thanks. Are there places to camp along these trails? do they actually have views of the Canyon at some point?

[skier06]

what is this wells book you're reffering too? I Point Sublime usually pretty busy as far as camping goes?
thanks
Nick

[GRUNT]

They sell them at the different 4 wheeling shops. Try there or look at amazon. I got one at Desert Rat and the other at 4Wheelers... They are:
Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Charles A. Wells;2001
It is approx. 5"x8" so it fits well in my center console....
I can't find my other book so I will have to get back to you. It is not a Wells book but is VERY detailed on routes and GPS. It is large and is sold at all the shops. This writer/publisher has several books on several regions in several states! Did I say several enough...? :)

[skier06]

Cool, thanks Grunt, I'll have to go track one down.

edit: perfect, they have the Wells book at barnes and noble down the street
thanks again

[Curly]

cool, thanks. Are there places to camp along these trails? do they actually have views of the Canyon at some point?

There are terrific views of the canyon from the viewpoints I mentioned. I believe the camping use is low due to most visitors sticking to the pavement.
At fire point, one couple was set up with a toyota truck and camper right on the edge of the rim. No one else was there camping, they had it all to themselves. It is totally dry camping though, no facilities.

Toroweap also had only one other family camping there, there are chemical toilets at the camp area. No fees, but a 60 mile drive from the pavement. (Easy road)

Point Sublime was the most scenic, views of the canyon as you get near the point, and great views from the point. You MUST get a backcountry permit to camp there, space is very limited. Our group filled up the entire camp area, and that was only 5-6 jeeps.

Follow this link to see a few pictures from our trip about 2 weeks ago.

http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u137/Curly5759/Grand%20canyon%20trip/

[treeofliberty]

We've been to Fire Point and Toroweap. You are not supposed to camp in the National Park, except at designated campgrounds. Fire Point falls into that category. However, just 0.9 miles back from there is the border with Kaibab National Forest. We camped for a week just on the Kaibab side of the fence. It is beautiful, a cool 7600 feet, with plenty of firewood. Also, there is a gas station and small campground where you turn off the highway into the forest, to drive the 14 miles to Fire Point.

Toroweap has the best canyon views I've seen. There is a ledge that provides a 3000-foot drop, straight down into the Colorado river. And there's no railing. My hands are sweaty just remembering that awesome view. There is camping at Toroweap, right next to the ledge, but you are essentially on solid rock, with little shade. Right now, I'm betting it's crazy hot. We drove to Toroweap from our camp near Fire Point. It was an all-day endeavor. That's a long way off the beaten path, but the views are worth it. Even though the road to Toroweap is easy, be sure to air down some, as the road has a reputation for eating tires, due to the steady pounding for 60 miles (one way). We destroyed a tire on our Tahoe, back in 2003, 3 miles from the rim. On that trip we passed about 3 cars. You are very remote. Then we had to drive 60 miles back out, with no spare and no cell phone coverage.

[Hardline]

Kaibab National Forest. We camped for a week just on the Kaibab side of the fence. It is beautiful, a cool 7600 feet, with plenty of firewood.There is a ledge that provides a 3000-foot drop, straight down into the Colorado river.

I agree that Kaibab is a good choice. Wayco and I explored "Crazy Jug Point" this last June and there are large camping areas, secluded camping areas, beautiful views and nobody out there. Get yourself a copy of the North Kaibab Ranger District map.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/maps/

From Jacob Lake go West on FR 462, South of FR 22, the Southwest on FR 425. This is primitive camping. You can also take FR 232 West off of 425 to Indian Hollow Campground, which is the trailhead for Thunder River Trail.

Dispersed camping is permitted in Kaibab National Forest as long as it is outside the Grand Canyon National Park boundaries.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/oldrec/see_nk_craz.html

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/oldrec/camp_ih.html

[Curly]

There is camping at Toroweap, right next to the ledge, but you are essentially on solid rock, with little shade. Right now, I'm betting it's crazy hot. vmiles

It was hot, no wind, but it was tolerable. Suprised by how many skeeters there were. I was looking forward to camping on the rims edge, but that is no longer allowed. The campsite is about 1 mile back from the point, but it offers its own views. The milky way was spectactular that night.

Curly

[skier06]

thanks for all the great info everyone. We're gonna head up there next weeked.

[treeofliberty]

Have a great time, and prepare yourself for sensory overload. One of the benefits of camping so close to the canyon is being able to enjoy sunrise and sunset on the rim, knowing you have a very short drive to base camp.

There were a couple other benefits to camping in the area. Fire Point has something like 270 degree views, which I guess is obvious from the name. If you like watching game, North Kaibab has the best mule deer in Arizona, and they come out in droves at sunset. Be careful driving around at that time, because they are everywhere. On our trip back to camp after the Toroweap run, we probaby saw about a dozen herds in that magical last 30 minutes of light. We also dodged two deer that ran in front of us.

Have a safe trip.

[TomHatch]

A few months back, the Arizona Republic had an article about the only road that takes you from the rim to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They make is sound like a little known fact (and I had never heard of it). See this link:
http://www.takemytrip.com/featured0705.htm

[TomHatch]

A few months back, the Arizona Republic had an article about the only road that takes you from the rim to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They make is sound like a little known fact (and I had never heard of it). See this link:
http://www.takemytrip.com/featured0705.htm

[Hardline]

A few months back, the Arizona Republic had an article about the only road that takes you from the rim to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They make is sound like a little known fact (and I had never heard of it). See this link:
http://www.takemytrip.com/featured0705.htm

Found a picture - looks nice!

http://www.pbase.com/rianhouston/image/42309280

[WalterD]

Try camping in the Canyon at Phantom Ranch or Indian Gardens. You get to see a whole lot more.

[ryangibson]

Here is a blog on our North Rim trip to the grand canyon and the Arizona strip. Many miles but worth it!

Click here to view the blog (http://arizonatrailways.com/cs/blogs/arizona_strip__the_north_rim_-_grand_canyon/default.aspx)

Regards,
Ryan Gibson

[Miles2go1979]

that would be awesome to see covered in snow... sorry the snow jeeping thread has me dreaming.

[katvans]

A few months back, the Arizona Republic had an article about the only road that takes you from the rim to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They make is sound like a little known fact (and I had never heard of it). See this link:
http://www.takemytrip.com/featured0705.htm

AZ Back Country is having a run on this road on 9-22-07 for anyone interested. There are 24 definite and 9 tentative signed up. :cool: